The Harry Potter group, from Whitworth Community High School, became the envy of the whole school when they were given tickets to preview Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone - predicted to become the most successful British film ever.

Lisa Baker, who organised the event at the Odeon Cinema, decided to let the group view the film a week before it opens to the public after members wrote to her detailing their dedication to the book. But she knew the members would be hard to impress.

So loyal are they to JK Rowling's novels, they make potential new members sit a Harry Potter trivia exam before being allowed to join!

Ten pupils and two teachers from the group, which meets weekly, were given luxury seats, a poster, free popcorn and a drink as they viewed the film on Saturday.

And the verdict was unanimous - enchanting!

Teacher Deborah Ashworth said: "We thoroughly enjoyed it. It was just like the book. We expected it to have a lot of Americanisms in it, which thankfully it didn't.

"It was humorous, scary and magical.

"We were sceptical about the film because you cannot beat your own imagination, but this exceeded our expectations.

"Lisa Baker went out of her way to make us feel like VIPs and we are really grateful to her."